Page 174 - DMGT402_MANAGEMENT_PRACTICES_AND_ORGANIZATIONAL_BEHAVIOUR

Unit 8: Foundations of Organisational Behaviour

Type Theories Notes

The type theories represent an attempt to put some degree of order into the chaos of personality
theory. The type theory represents an attempt to scientifically describe personality by classifying
individuals into convenient categories. Two categories of type theories are explained below:
1. Sheldon's Physiognomy Theory: William Sheldon has presented a unique body-type
temperamental model that represents a link between certain anatomical features and
psychological traits with distinguishing characteristics of an individual and his behaviour.
The physique or body-type theories have concentrated on determining a relationship
between features of the face or body, and personality. Sheldon identifies three body types:
(a) Endomorph: He is bulky and beloved. Sheldon's endomorph to be rather fat, thick in
proportion to his height. His personality temperament is viscertonic (the person
seeks comfort, loves fine food, eats too much, is jovial, affectionate and liked by all).
(b) Mesomorph: He is basically strong, athletic and tough. All appreciate his physique. In
fact, it is this personality all other "morphs" wish for. According to Sheldon, he will
tend to be somatotonic (he is fond of muscular activity; he tends to be highly
aggressive, and self-assertive).
Sheldon contends that most physiques are mixture of three components.
Table 8.2: Body Types and Behavioural Correlations

Body Type Behavioural Temperament
Endomorphy Softness and spherical The endomorphic type of individual usually has a
appearance; highly de- love for comfort, eats heavily, likes to be around
veloped abdominal area; people and desires affection. He is even tempered,
underdevelopment of shows a relaxed posture, reads showily, and is tol-
bone, muscle, etc. erant of others, and easy to get along with others.
He prefers to be led than to lead.
Mesomorphy Hard and rectangular The mesomorphic individual likes physical adven-
physique with a pre- ture and risk-taking. He needs muscular and vigor-
dominance of bone and ous physical activity. He is aggressive and insensi-
muscle; strong, tough and tive toward others. He tends to be noisy and coura-
injury-resistant body; geous; he desires action, power, and domination. He
well equipped for strenu- is athletic and seeks outdoor activity.
ous physical demands.
Ectomorphy Linear and fragile; flat He displays restraint, inhibition, and desire for con-
chest and delicate body; cealment. He tends to be distrustful of people. He
usually thin and light- works well in closed areas. He reacts quickly, sleeps
muscled. poorly, and prefers solitude when his mind is trou-
bled. Also, he prefers not to attract attention to him-
self. Typically, he is anxious, ambitious, and dedi-
cated.

Source: David Laeless, "Effective Management Special Psychological Approach" (1972), Prentice-Hall, Englewood
Cliffs, NJ.
(c) Ectomorph: These people are thin, long and poorly developed physically. Though
physically weak, he leads the league in the intelligent department. His temperament
is cerebrotonic (excessive inhibition, restraint, and avoidance of social contact). He
is labelled as absent-minded, shy, but brilliant university professor stereotype.
2. Carl Jung's Extrovert-introvert Theory: The way to type personality is in terms of behaviour
or psychological factors. Jung's introvert and extrovert types are an example. However, as
Jung himself pointed out, the introvert-extrovert typology turns out to be more in the

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